Monday, April 10, 2023

French Onion Soup

 Due to health issues, some members of my family can only eat things with a clear broth base.  I decided to get creative and bring out the classics


French Onion Soup

4 sweet onions

4 T butter

2 t salt

1 T garlic

1 c dry white wine

1/4 c whiskey

7 c beef broth

1 t thyme


Directions

1) thin slice onions

2) put in pan with butter and salt on Medium High

3) let carmelize and stir until they are almost a marmalade

4) add wine, whiskey, beef stock and time

5) bring to a boil and serve with bread and a nice cheese like Cambazola


Sunday, August 29, 2021

Chili, RED, Texas style

 My husband and I had a long time dialog about proper Chili.  It usually started with him saying something about it not having beans.  He had never come up with anything compelling.  Chili, it is as controversial as BBQ and who is from the South.  Finally he came to me with the idea that beans do not grow well in Texas. This I can work with. Beans like a hot, humid climate.  Most of Texas is quite arid.  Then he started bringing me recipes.  The recipes reminded me of Mexican recipes for met that was stewed all day.  The ingredients made sense.  We eventually found this recipe.  

My husband is not a fan of a lot of heat, so we had to make a few modifications.  Anyone who knows me knows that I can not help myself but to adjust. 

 “The code is more what you'd call 'guidelines' than actual rules." -Hector Barbossa

That being said, here is what we did...

We dropped the bacon and either use Beef Heart or substitute Beef Broth for the water-this makes it richer.

For the Chili Powder, we get large packages of dried Ancho, Juajillo or whatever peppers are available, seed them and grind them.  One of these days I will try it with the seeds in, and a second batch with store bought chili powder, if I can find it without anti-caking agents.

And here is what we came up with...

TEXAS RED mild a.k.a. Chili to us Yankees and Northerners

Ingredients

3 lbs Beef or Beef heart in a large grind or small cubed

1 onion finely chopped

1 T garlic minced

1 T cumin powder

1 T salt

1 c ground chili's (ancho and guajillo perferred)

4 c water or Beef Broth if using Beef and not the Heart


Directions

1    mix all ingredients in a pan and bring to a boil

2    simmer on low for 4 hours, stirring occasionally

3    serve with; hot sauce, sour cream, grated cheese and biscuits


Notes

1    Different peppers will change the flavor mildly

2    Leave in as many seeds as you want heat.  We take out all the seeds for my husband, I add hot sauce to mine.

3    Beef heart gives a richer flavor but does not have the, "Off" flavor often found with organ meats.  It is also awesome because it has extra bioavailability and is cheap.


I hope this inspires you to try something old and something new.


Anthoinette



Monday, September 9, 2019

Flavorful Flourless Chocolate Cake

Tonight I wanted CHOCOLATE!!!  I looked for the Pierless Cholcolate Mousse recipe from Alton Brown to no avail.  I decided to look for a flourless chocolate cake instead.  I found this one by King Arthurs Flour.

So, I did what I do and here it is.

FLAVORFUL FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE

INGREDIENTS:
170 g (1 c) 70% chocolate chips
1/2 c butter
3/4 c raw sugar
1/4 t salt
1 t vanilla
3 large eggs
zest 1 mandarin orange, or 1/4 regular orange
1/2 t cinnamon
1/8 t clove
1/8 t nutmeg
1/2 c cocoa powder

DIRECTIONS:

1) . Preheat oven to 375

2) . Melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler, mix until smooth

3).  Mix in; raw sugar, salt, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & orange zest

4). Beat in eggs, one at a time until fully incorporated

5) . Beat in cocoa powder until smooth

6) . Place in 12 cupcake cups or an 8" round pan lined with parchent paper
and bake until a broken skin apears on top.  For a cake this should take about 25 minutes, for cupcakes 15-18. 

NOTES:
Both my husband and I agreed this needs no frosting, the orange and spices punch right through.

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Ratatouille

Ratatouille, made famous by the French and even more famous by the movie, I believe originated in India.  When I look at it I see plants and a cooking method all appropriate for India.  The key to my Ratatouille is Fennel.  If you change the origin, you change the flavor just a bit and go from there.

If you want it to be completely authentic you would probably cook to whole spices until they pop, then saute the onion until tranlucent slowly adding all of the other ingredients and simmering all day.  My method is easier, and I will even give you a crock pot method.

RATATOUILLE

Ingredients

1/2 c butter or olive oil(vegan)
1 medium onion-perferably sweet
1 medium egglplant
1 large green bell pepper
1 large yellow or red bell pepper
1 large zucchini
1 large yellow summer squash
2 28oz cans of whole peeled tomatoes-preferably without any additives like Calcium Chloride
2 bay leaves
1/4 c garlic
1 t cumin
1 t coriander
1-1 1/2 T fennel
1 t crushed red pepper(or 1/2 jalepeno seeded)
1 c fresh basil chopped
salt

DIRECTIONS

1)  Dice eggplant into 1/2" cubes

2)  salt eggplant liberaly and place in colander inside of bowl and weigh it down with a bowl to extrude bitter juices

3)  cut all vegetables into a small dice

4)  once eggplant has extruded about 1/2-1 c juice rinse it under cold running water until salt flavor is almost gone

5)  open tomatoes, retaining juice, squeeze each tomato, crushing it into several pieces


Crock Pot

After completing steps 1-5 above

6) Put all ingredients into crockpot and cook at a low simmer all day

7) adjust salt before service


Stove Top

After completing steps 1-5 above

6) melt butter or heat oil in pan and saute onions until translucent

7) add next 5 ingredients and stir until hot

8) add remaining ingredients, except for basil and salt, bring to a boil

9) reduce to simmer for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally

10) 5 minutes before service add basil and adjust salt as desired


Traditional

After completing steps 1-5 above

5) heat pan dry and roast cumin, coriander, fennel and crushed red pepper seeds until they pop

6) add onions and saute until translucent

7) add remaining ingredients, bring to boil

8) reduce to simmer for 1+ hours

9) serve with rice

NOTES

1) this is great on its own or served with bread.  I believe it would traditionally be served with rice or and Indian flat bread like Naan.  It also makes a great pasta sauce and I have even made Lasagna with it.  You could also simmer a roast in it or serve it as a side dish.


Friday, April 26, 2019

Mitchell's COME BACK SAUCE will have you coming back for more

We have some great friends here that we have shared some great food with.  Mitch surprised us with a bottle of his Come Back Sauce.  I have had and made come back sauce in Virginia.  Mine was great with seafood.  Mitches is great with everything!  We have used it as a salad dressing, on cooked vegetables, with steak, chicken, pork, potatoes.  It is great on everything!  He has not only given me the recipe but encouraged me to share it.  So, I am posting it on my blog.

Mitchell's Come Back Sauce

INGREDIENTS

1 c Mayonaisse-Blue Plate
1/2 c Olive Oil
1 T Prepared Mustard
1 T Worchestershire Sauce
1/2 t Black Pepper
1/2 t White Pepper
1 clove Garlic-minced or equivalent in liquid or powder
1 Onion, juice of or equivalent in liquid or powder
few dashes Tabasco
dash Paprika
1 T Water
a couple dashes of Dill Weed
dash Curry Powder

Combine all ingredients using and electric mixer.

My take on how to put this together

1 c Mayonaisse
1/2 c Olive Oil
1 T Yellow Prepared Mustard
1 T Worchestershire Sauce
1/2 t Black Pepper
1/2 t White Pepper
1t Garlic-minced
1 Onion
1 t Tabasco
1/2 t Paprika
1 T Water
1 t Dill Weed
1/2 t Yellow Curry Powder

Directions

1) Grate onion and strain to get juice

2) Put onion juice and remaining ingredients in mixer until will combined

3) Let sit for at least 1 hour, preferably 24 hours before using so that flavors can properly meld. 

I look forward to making and using this when we are done with the move.  In the mean time we will share what we have left with friends.

Sunday, April 21, 2019

Donut Bread Pudding

Bread Pudding is a classic in most Southern homes.  In Mississippi they make it exceptionally well!  As always I have to put my particular stamp on it.  Or, in this case, find a way to use the excess donuts they have at Church. 

I have two variations that I use of this recipe and I will put them below. 

INGREDIENTS(for 2)

2 donuts
1 extra large egg
1/4 c milk
1 t butter

PAN SIZE:  Two donuts make two cupcakes or a 5" tart pan
                    Six donuts makes a small loaf pan (9"x5")
                    A Dozen Donuts will make a 9" pie tin, an 8"x8" or 9"x9" square pan
                    18 Donuts will make a 9"x13" rectangular pan

DIRECTIONS

1)  Preheat oven to 350

2)  Butter baking dish

3)  Cut donuts into 1/8ths and put in pan

4)  Beat eggs and milk until smooth and pour over donuts

5)  Press donuts down into milk and egg mixture and let soak for 10+ minutes

6)  Bake until golden brown and knife inserted comes out clean

VARIATIONS

Rich-Use heavy whipping cream instead of milk

Almond-mix 1 T slivered almonds into donuts, top with 1 T slivered almonds & 1 T sugar before baking

NOTES:  Serve with ready whip.  You can used whipped cream, but I think the richness might be overpowering.  The airy sweetness of the ready-whip really compliments this recipe.  You could also try vanilla ice cream.



Sunday, April 14, 2019

Beef simmered in red sauce over a bed of polenta with gorgonzola

Last nights supper was inspired by a recipe I saw for Polenta with Gorgonzola which I immediately decided needed to be cooked with Steak.  Unfortunately, I was unable to pull up the original recipe as we had some harsh weather.  Here it is, it was so drool worthy that my husband and our friend both licked their plates.

INGREDIENTS

Polenta with Gorgonzola

1 3/4 c polenta
1 qt chicken stock
1 1/2 c water
4 oz gorgonzola

Steak in red sauce

2 lbs Beef(see note below)
1 t kosher salt
1 t black pepper
2 T crushed garlic
1/4 bunch flat leaf parsley
1 t oregano
1/2 t crushed red pepper
1/2 c extra virgin olive oil
1 15oz can crushed tomatoes
2 c white wine
4 oz Asiago

DIRECTIONS

1S)  Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper

2S)  Make marinade of garlic, parsley, oregano, crushed red pepper and olive oil

3S)  Rub marinade on beef and let sit for 1 hour to three days

4P)  Bring water and chicken stock to a boil and slowly whisk in polenta until it starts to thicken

5P)  Lower heat to simmer, cover and stir occasionally

6S)  In a separate pan, preheated to high, brown steak on both sides

7S)  Mix remaining marinade, tomato and wine and bring to a boil, lower to a simmer, cover and cook until tender

8S)  Remove steak from pan and let rest before slicing

9P)  Stir gorgonzola into polenta

9)   Pour polenta into bowls or onto plates, top with sliced steak, red sauce then grate asiago over the top.  Serve while it is hot.

NOTES
1* Beef-  I used London Broil.  I think a Flank, Flat Iron, Eye of Round or any other mediocre steak would work.  You could also use cheaper cuts of meat, like chunks of stew meat or a chuck roast, if you chose to freeze them in the marinade and thaw, or cook longer.  This could definitely be done in the crock pot.

2*  Polenta, when you are simmering polenta it needs to be on the lowest setting available.  If it should happen to get too stiff you can add small amounts of water to loosen it up.  It will loosen up when you add the gorgonzola.

Monday, April 8, 2019

Red Beans & Rice - the old Gulf Coast Way...

Red Beans and Rice is one of the oldest Gulf Coast food traditions, along side Hoppin John.  Like many foods it has been bastardized over the years, its roots long forgotten...

Long ago Red Beans and Rice would have been cooked on Mondays, washdays, and simmered on the stove all day.  It may well have had a ham bone if one was available.  As much as this dish should not be rushed, I have both a quick and slow version.  It can also be pressured canned or frozen.

This dish should have a creamy consistency, much like a thick gravy.  If you really want to retain the integrity of the original dish, that people fell in love with you might try Crowders instead of kidney beans, and definitely serve it over long grain brown rice assuming you are not one of the rare people with access to Carolina Gold Rice.  Sweet onions are definitely an assest for this dish and let us not forget a good quality Andouille.  I know that Chicken Andouille is not traditional, but AMYLU makes one that is every bit as good as the best Andouille we had in New Orleans.  

I digress...

After doing my usual research and taste tests with old locals I feel I can confidently share my recipe.

RED BEANS & RICE

Ingredients

1 lb dry red beans-I think the smaller ones work better, but Kidneys are perfectly acceptable
1 lb good Andouille
1 Large Onion-preferably sweet, if not a yellow or red will work nicely
1 Large Green Bell Pepper
2 stocks Celery
2 T Garlic
2 large Bay Leaves
1 t Thyme
1 t Sage
1/2 c butter (1 stick)
1/2 t Salt
1/2 T Pepper
to taste Cayenne Pepper
2 lb rice


Directions

1) Soak the beans overnight in cold water

2) Drain and rinse beans well and put into crock pot, or pot to slowly simmer all day.

3) Dice onion and bell pepper, slice celery, mince garlic and chop andouille into bite size pieces.

4) Put first 10 ingredients, into pot and add water to cover.

5) If using a crock pot, cover it tightly, put it on high and leave it there all day, stirring when ever...
    If using the stove top method, bring to a boil, stir, cover and put on the lowest heat possible,
    stirring as necessary.

6) Add remaining ingredients to taste.

7) If the Red Beans are not creamy from stirring either use a potato masher or your blender to make
    a paste out of half of your beans

8) About an hour before service cook rice according to directions.  If you are using white rice,
    please wash it until the water runs clear.  With brown rice you should only need to rinse it once.

9)  When you serve it place a goodly amount of rice in the bowl and top with about half as much
      of the Red Beans.


QUICK VERSION:

4 15 oz cans of Kidney beans with liquid               (please be mindful of the ingredients as
            you only want beans, salt, water and (sadly) calcium chloride)
1 lb good Andouille
1 Large Onion-preferably sweet, if not a yellow or red will work nicely
1 Large Green Bell Pepper
2 stocks Celery
2 T Garlic
2 large Bay Leaves
1 t Thyme
1 t Sage
1/2 c butter (1 stick)
1/2 t Salt
1/2 T Pepper
to taste Cayenne Pepper
2 lb rice

1) About an hour before service cook rice according to directions.  If you are using white rice,
    please wash it until the water runs clear.  With brown rice you should only need to rinse it once.

2) Do not drain the beans as the liquid is part of the flavor.

3) Put two of the cans of beans through your blender with the butter until they form a smooth paste.

4) Dice onion and bell pepper, slice celery, mince garlic and chop andouille into bite size pieces.

5) Put first 10 ingredients, into pot and add water to cover.

6) Bring to a boil, stir, lower to a simmer,  cover and stir as necessary.

7) Add remaining ingredients to taste about 15 minutes before your rice is ready.

8) When you serve it place a goodly amount of rice in the bowl and top with about half as much
      of the Red Beans.

I know this dish does not look like much, but, when cooked correctly is an easy crowd pleaser!



Saturday, April 6, 2019

Creole Sausages Andouille vs Chaurice

By the time you read this, we will have made authentic Andouille and Chaurice.  



Having been in the Gulf Coast region for over a year I have had to perfect the food.  It would not be me if I did not.  I have made some amazingly authentic food that has locals questioning exactly where I hail from.  Sausage is an integral part of much of the food down here and the part of the local cuisine that has yet eluded me as my recipe geek requires historic recipes to find the true essence.  The most commonly called for sausage is Andouille.  I have yet to make any recipes that call for Chaurice and Budin is eaten by itself as a snack. 

When locals speak of the difference between Cajun and Creole they universally bring up the French and African influences.  The thing no one mentions is the German influence.  The only reason I know about his is because of this cookbook.   Memere's Country Creole Cookbook is where I finally found a recipe for Andouille.  My other reference cookbook is The Picayune's Creole Cookbook which is the from the French influence and has the Chaurice recipe.  I have yet to find a proper Cajun cookbook.  

I digress...

When my Lovely husband and I first got into sausage making and were mere Northerners, ignorant of what Cajun and Creole food actually was we made what we *thought* was a good and proper Andouille.  Not so fast.  It is a good sausage that has a lot of the local flavors but is *not* Andouille.  It is actually closer to Chaurice.

Memere's Andouille recipe is very mild and heavily smoked.  It is definitively German.  I know there are many recipes that have thyme in them, but they are more likely based in the French.  Unfortunately Picayune does not give me an Andouille recipe.

4 1/2 lb pork butt
1/2 lb pork fat
5 t salt
2 t black pepper
2 t garlic powder
1 t cayenne
casing

In contrast we have Picayunes Chaurice recipe:

4 lb lean fresh pork
2 lb fat fresh pork
2 large onions-minced very fine
1 clove garlic-minced very fine
1 t Cayenne or other very hot chili pepper
1 t red pepper (hot Paprika)
1 T salt
1 t black pepper-finely ground
1 sprig of thyme-well minced
2 bay leaves-chopped or minced fine
1/2 t allspice-very fine


Now for the sausage formerly known as Andouille.  It is definitely more closely related to the Chaurice than the Andouille and has many of the flavors popular down here, but it is neither.  It is still a fine sausage and will be used in the future.  It is never to go near my Red Beans and Rice again. 

6 lb pork
3 T salt
3 chipotle
1 T cayenne
1 T sage
1/2 T nutmeg
1 T allspice
1 t black pepper
bay leaf
1/2 t thyme
3 clove garlic
* this is great smoked






Saturday, December 29, 2018

Spinach Artichoke Dip

I do not know about everyone else, but...  If I am throwing a party in cold weather I want hot dips.  My favorite of these is Spin(ach)Art(choke) Dip.

After researching and looking for the flavors I want, I came up with this recipe which goes equally as well with a French Baguette or Sourdough.  It goes together so quick.  You can make it in a crock pot, the oven or on the range.  It is even better the second day.  So, do not be afraid to make ahead and cook or reheat in when you need it.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

INGREDIENTS

8 oz cream cheese
1/4 c sour cream
4 oz asiago, or other hard Italian cheese
4 oz mozzarella
1 (15 oz) can artichoke hearts in water
6 oz frozen spinach1 1/2 T garlic
1 t salt
1 t red pepper flake



DIRECTIONS

1)  Grate Asiago and Mozzerella

2)  Roughly chop Artichokes and mince Garlic

3)  Combine all ingredients and heat to 165, stirring occasionally

4)  Serve with slices of bread, chips or crackers

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Angel Food Cake

We are having another dinner party and wanted to keep the menu light and fun.  My darling husband requested my Strawberry Spinach salad.  I really wanted beef and found some great skirt steak at the grocery store.  We needed something light to go with that.  Since the temperatures are in the mid 80's this week, we wanted it cool.  With strawberries already in the salad, strawberry shortcake was out.  We decided on trifle with blue berries.  We were not quite up for the classic trifle, so I gave my husband the choice of Angel food cake with a lemon custard or Bishops cake ( lemon pound cake) with whipped cream.  He chose the Angel Food.  I have no idea when I made one last time, so to the internet, I go.  I found a great article on the origination of Angel Food cake.

CAKE FOOD of the ANGELS

INGREDIENTS
8 oz Egg Whites
8 oz Sugar
4 oz Cake Flour
1 T Cream of Tartar
1/4 t Almond Extract

DIRECTIONS
1) . Preheat oven to 350 and put rack at lowest setting
2) . Let egg whites come to room temperature, 15-30 minutes
3) . Sift flour and cream of tartar together 7 times as this will mix, aerate, and get rid of any lumps
4) . Beat egg whites, on high) until they are a dry stiff foam.  The original recipe says until they will support and egg.  I use the standard of holding your bowl upside down without anything moving.
5) . Slowly add sugar to egg whites, 2 T at a time
6) . Add Almond extract to egg whites
7) . Fold flour mixture into egg whites in several additions
8) . Gently spoon batter into ungreased tube pan and immediately bake for 20-30 minutes, until the top is lightly browned
9) . When you pull it from the oven immediately turn it upside down to cool for 1 hour
10)  .Use knife to cut away from sides and remove from pan.
11) . Serve as desired.


NOTES:
1) . Please do not attempt this without an electric mixer.
2) . When making this please, remember that the slightest bit of fat will wreck havoc with your egg whites stiffening, especially egg yolk.  Freshly wash everything with dish soap and when you separate the eggs, scoop out any yolk that may have fallen in, immediately!
3) .The pan must be ungreased so the cake can climb it.
4) .You want it upside down to cool so that it does not compress on itself.

Friday, April 13, 2018

Beef Barley Soup

My darling husband has been a bit under the weather.  For us that always calls for Soups!  I have made Pho, Ramen, French Onion and now Beef Barley.  I still have to make an Irish Wild Mushroom Soup and Chicken (probably noodle) soup and what ever else pops into my head.

Tonights concoction was the Beef Barley.  I tried making it in our new rice cooker, because I could.  That worked out well.  The soup was exceptional, even by my strict standards.  So, here is how I made it.

BEEF BARLEY SOUP

INGREDIENTS:
2 T oil
2 carrots, chopped
1 parsnip, chopped
1 red onion, diced
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 1/2 T garlic, minced
2 T "Spice Rub" from the Feast Hall
1/2 c barley
2 lb beef
2 qt beef stock
2 qt water

DIRECTIONS:
1)  Heat pan, put in oil and onions and saute for a few minutes before adding carrots, parsnip and celery

2)  Cut beef into small bitesize pieces and mix with spice rub and mix into pan with all remaining ingredients, mix and cover

3)  Bring to a rolling boil for about 30 minutes then drop to a simmer until reduced by 1 qt

4)  Serve with a good bread to soak up all the juices

NOTES:

If you do not have beef stock I have found "Better than Boullion" to be a fine substitute.  I unfortunately have not been able to find good beef stock here so, it has been my saviour.  I used 4 qt water and 2 T Better than Boullion.

Makes 4 qt of soup

Pimento Cheese

I have no idea how I have not posted this before!  I have been using this recipe for about two years and kept having to refer to an email I sent it to a friend in to find it.   So, here it is!!!



PIMENTO CHEESE

Ingredients
1/2 lb Sharp Cheddar
1/2 lb Pepper Jack
4 oz Jar Pimentos
1 t Chipotle
4 oz Cream Cheese

DIRECTIONS
1)  Grate Cheddar and Jack
2)  Drain Pimentos
3)  Place all ingredients in mixer and mix until mostly smooth
4)  Refrigerate until service


NOTES
1)  If you can not get Pimentos you can use roasted red peppers
2)  If you can not get Chipotle use 1/2 t Cayenne & 1/2 t Paprika
3)  I originally used Mayonaisse, but the cream cheese gives better flavor, texture and mouth feel.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Rouladin Meatball Gnocchi Beef Stew

Tonight I played with fusion between German and Italian, which makes it very American.

Let me go back.  I gave my husband the choice between chicken, pork and hamburger.  He chose hamburger.  The inspiration was not coming to me.  I was racking my brain for what to do with that hamburger.  I questioned him for any ideas.  He came back talking about hamburgers, which require pickles.  That got me thinking about rouladin.  I taught a very dear friend in Virginia how to make rouladin.  I advised her that it could even be made from hamburger, if that is what you had.  Yes, I know it is not traditional.  That being said, anyone who knows me knows that I can work with an empty pantry to make gourmet whatever.  So, I digress...

I did not fully feel like rouladin, so I thought I could make rouladin meatballs, and a tasty soup with noodles.  After formulating the flavors I decide on a meatball with the mustard and pickles and a beef broth with noodles, onions, mushrooms.  After debating the merits of diced potatoes, gnocci or egg noodles, I realized I was really looking for the flavor and texture of the gnocci.  That being said, here is the recipe.

INGREDIENTS
     Meatballs:
1 lb hamburger
2 eggs
1/2 c breadcrumbs
1/2 c dill pickle relish or diced dill pickles
1/4 t salt
1/2 t pepper
1/8 t nutmeg (because I can not cook german without it)
1 T stone ground mustard
1 T garic, minced
1 T Bacon Drippings or Grape Seed Oil

     Soup
1 red onion, thin sliced
1/4 lb mushrooms, sliced
1 lb gnocci
1 qt beef stock

DIRECTIONS
1). Put Onion and mushroom in 8 qt stock pot on high, stirring with regularity

2). Mix all meatball ingredients, except oil and let sit for 5 minutes

3). Heat saute pan and put oil in it.  Make meatballs into 1 T balls and cook.

4)  Add beef stock to onions and mushrooms and bring to boil and add gnocci.

5). Stir in meatballs

6). Bring to boil.

7). Dice 2 pickles to garnish

8). Garnish and serve!

Viola!!!


Friday, February 23, 2018

Steak and Spinach Salad

Recently Tomato Girl, a friend of mine, asked me to come up with a briney dressing to be served with a steak salad.  She also had the amazing idea to add some steak drippings to it.

So, off I went on my research tangent of different French small sauces and sauces that include red wine.  My idea at the time was based on my Balsamic Honey Mustard.  As I researched I looked at butter, like a buerre rouge.  Many of the sauces had tarragon and shallots.

I had formulated, then I started the trials.

I started with Balsamic, but did not find it briney.  So, I ended up mixing it half and half with red wine vinegar.  I also tried using butter to cook the steak, but the consistency wasn't quite right.  Enter the EVOO Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  I really wanted to use that for the flavor.  After many trials, darn, steak again?  I came to this secret formula.  

For the steak for this salad I love a flat iron or london broil.  You could also use a cube steak or a fillet or any other good steak.  The thing is that it needs to be tender.  

This is probably the only time you will see me do something in single servings.

Ingredients for the dressing:
1 T Red Wine Vinegar
1 T Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 T Stone Ground Mustard
1 t Garlic, minced
1/2 t Shallots
1/2 t capers (include the brine)
1/2 t Tarragon, chopped

Ingredients for steak:
6 oz steak
1 t Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 t salt
3/4 t pepper

Ingredients for the Salad:
4 oz Spinach-prewashed
1 oz Blue Cheese
1 Carrot-sliced
2 Mushrooms-sliced


Directions:
Dressing 
just mix all of the ingredients and let it sit, UNTIL...
the Steak is done.  Once the steak is removed from the pan deglaze it with dressing and immediately pour onto salad.

Steak
Equally salt both sides of steak
I like to jaccard it after I season it, to make certain that it is seasoned inside and out and oh-so-tender.
Coat it in EVOO
Cook it to the correct doneness, let it rest then slice it against the grain.

Salad
Put the spinach on the plate, top with carrots and mushrooms then dressing.  Put the sliced steak on top then crumble the blue cheese on top and serve!

This salad is a full meal. 

Notes:
If you are using this dressing independent of this salad put 1/4 t salt and 1/2 t pepper into the dressing.  

It can also be used as a marinade for pork, beef or game.

If you are curious about a meat tenderizing Jaccard, they are inexpensive and definitely can make the cheapest of steaks tender.  And they are great for stress!  I love using them because it easily makes cheap steaks much better.  You can even use it on roasts.  Unless you have a dishwasher, get one with only a single row of blades.

Here is how to use one:


Here is one on Amazon

Sunday, November 5, 2017

Oyster Stew

When we first got to Virginia we had an amazing oyster stew at a local restaurant.  We later returned to the same restaurant with the intent of trying to duplicate it.  Unfortunately it was not the same that night.  It was mediocre at best.  I have tried a few recipes since and not been elated.  

Fast forward a few months and my husband finds a recipe in Garden and Gun Magazine.  I look at it, we get the fresh oysters to shuck along with a few ingredients.   Of course there are a few modifications along the way.  So, here it is.

OYSTER STEW for two
1 dozen salty oysters
4 t butter
1/4 t celery seed
1 T shallot
1 c milk
1 c heavy whipping cream
1/2 t chulula
1/4 t Worcestershire
1/4 t pepper


DIRECTIONS
1). Shuck the oysters, saving the juice and straining it through a coffee filter
2). Mince shallots and saute in pan with celery seed and 2 t butter, until tender
3). Add milk, cream, oyster juice and bring to low simmer
4). Cook oysters in base for 2-3 minutes and remove, dividing between two bowls.
5). Add 1 t butter and 1/8 t black pepper to each bowl
6). Add Worcestershire and Chulula to soup and cook for 1-2 minutes before dividing between bowl

NOTES
1). Most people recommend oyster crackers.  My husband and I prefer a good cheesy bread, and a nice white wine, like a Pino Gregio.

1).  Where I love the Chulula, my husband finished it with some Chipotle Tabasco.

Saturday, September 2, 2017

BCM BRONDIES

Bacon
   Chipotle
      Maple
          Brownies Blondies    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                 BCM BRONDIES                
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                             

I have been playing around with this recipe for about a year and a half.  Creating it was really a balancing act with getting each of the special ingredients and sweetness just right, without overpowering anything.   I think we finally perfected it and so now it must be published!  From our testers comments it is sweet enough for Southerners without being too sweet for our Northern tastebuds.  This would be a great recipe for gluten free flours.  Even though there are many parts to this recipe, it is not difficult.  Just read the entire recipe through before you start.

BCM BRONDIES



Bacon
                         3/4 lb bacon

Directions
1.   Cut bacon strips into 1/2" pieces
2.  Cook until they are as crispy as you dare, almost burnt
3.  Drain dripping and set bacon on paper towel to cool

Brownies Ingredients
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter,
  • 2 c sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 t whisky
  • 2/3 c good-quality unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 c all-purpose flour
  • 1 t cinnamon 
  • 3/4 t chipotle
  • 1/2 t kosher salt
  • 1/2 t baking powder
  •                 12 oz bittersweet chocolate chips (Giradeli 60% cocoa prefered)
ADD CHECKED ITEMS TO GROCERY LIST
Directions
1. Melt butter in bacon pan, deglazing it, being careful to get all of the bacon goodness
2. Pour butter into mixing bowl, cooling slightly, then mix in sugar
3. Add the eggs and whiskey and mix until evenly homogenous
4. Add the cocoa, flour, cinnamon, chIpotle, salt and baking powder and mix until smooth. 
5.    Mix in chocolate chips.



Blondie Ingredients
  • 1 c unsalted butter
  • 1 1/3 c raw sugar
  • 2/3 c pure maple syrup
  • 2 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 T whiskey 
  • 1/2 t salt
  • 2 c flour


Directions
  1. Cook butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it foams, turns clear, and then turns a deep brown, about 6 minutes. 
  2. Pour butter into a medium mixing bowl and let cool to room temperature
  3. whisk in raw sugar and maple syrup. 
  4. Add egg, whiskey, and salt, whisking to combine. 
  5. Fold in flour just until incorporated.


Maple Butter Glaze
  • 4 T unsalted butter
  • 1/2 c pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 t salt

Directions
1) Bring all ingredients to boil, for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly
2) Pour onto hot brandies

DIRECTIONS
1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 
2) Butter and flour pan or use bakers choice baking spray.
3) Chop and cook 3/4 lb bacon, until crispy, drain
4) Prepare brownie batter and put into prepared baking dish; smooth top. 
5) Evenly spread bacon on top of brownie batter
6) Prepare blondie batter and evenly spread on top of bacon and smooth top.
7) Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes, or until knife comes out almost clean.
8) Cook Maple Glaze and spread evenly on top while still hot
9) Cut into 1x1 1/2” pieces and cool before serving


NOTES:

1.  If you are gluten free, I believe this recipe will work perfectly with gluten free flours because it is mostly steam leavened, using butter and eggs.

2.  We believe this is the *perfect* sweetness.  But, if you want it sweeter, substitute milk chocolate chips for the bittersweet in the brownies and in the blondies use brown sugar instead of raw sugar.  Also, If you put the blondies on the bottom you taste more sweetness.





Monday, July 31, 2017

Southen Biscuits - Buttermilk Angel Biscuits

Southern biscuits are an art form.  I grew up thinking that everyone wanted that fluffy, moist, flakey biscuit.  I have long hunted the ability to make this gold standard of biscuits.  It remained elusive to me.

In my search I happened across many historic recipes that had a lot of egg but hardly any fat.  Then I came upon "the Southerner's Cookbook".  They call it "the ABC's of Southern Biscuits".  This describes the following:  Angel Biscuits which have added yeast, Beaten biscuit which is all about air incorporation, and cathead biscuits that are as large as a cats head.

It is the Angel biscuit that we will focus on.

I was focused on making buttermilk biscuits.  My first question was if buttermilk would work with the yeast.  My concern was that the buttermilk.  I know that salt retards salt growth, so I had to be sure.  After searching the web for a bit, all I could find was that you had to use more yeast with buttermilk.  So I changed my plan to proof the yeast with whole milk instead.  I then started just searching for Angel biscuit recipes, not expecting to find one with buttermilk, when I happened upon this recipe.

I followed it with just a few changes.

Here is what I did .

Buttermilk Angel Biscuits

Ingredients
7 g active dry yeast (1 pkg)
1/4 c warm water
1/4 c Sugar
6 1/4 c AP Flour
1 T Baking Powder
1 t Baking Soda
1 t Kosher Salt
1 c Bacon Drippings
2 c Buttermilk
1/4 c Unsalted Butter


Directions
1). Proof yeast by mixing with 1/4 c water and 1 T sugar, let sit until foamy

2). Sift together 6 c flour, remaining sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

3). Using your preferred method cut the lard into the flour mixture, until a course crumb like
      texture is achieved.
     ( I prefer my kitchen aid for this, a food processor would also make this easy)

4). Add buttermilk and yeast mixture, stirring in only until dough comes together.

5). Let rise until doubled in size.

6). Spread remaining flour onto board and knead dough on it 16 times.

7). Roll dough to 1/3" thick and  cut as many biscuits as possible, roll out scraps and cut as many more as possible.  Toss scraps.

8). Place biscuits on a sheet pan with parchment, touching each other.

9). Melt butter and brush on top of biscuits.

10). Let rise in warm spot until doubled in size.

11) Bake at 425 for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown.



NOTES:

I would probably add a touch more buttermilk.  The dough was very stiff and difficult to roll.

Now I am not going to say this recipe is bulletproof.  With that being said, I missed adding the yeast mixture until after I had combined the dough, which ended in it being overmixed because I had to add it.  Despite this they were still light, fluffy and just flakey enough to pull apart.

Despite my errors, our friends, who have strong opinions about biscuits, turned down chocolate croissants for more biscuits.

With that being said, despite the extra time these take, they are worth it!

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Celery Root Slaw

I will start out by saying that, yes I know it has been quite and while and I am going to try to fix that.

The second thing is that "Celery Root" is a misnomer.  The actual thing used is called celeriac.  But, as usual, I digress.

Now for the food.

My darling husband can not have cruciferous vegetable that are either fermented, cooked or fresh.  But he can have them pickled, go fig...

With this knowledge he has not had coleslaw in the entire time I have known him.  We recently went to a restaurant that served celery slaw.  It was refreshing and delicious.  Both the Mr. and Mr.'s Mom were raving about it and we went about deconstructing it so we could make it.  

After searching the web extensively I found one to modify, to make it closer to what we had.  Here it is.

CELERY SLAW

INGREDIENTS

1/4 c mayo
2 T greek yogurt or sour cream
1 T dijon mustard
1 T lemon juice
1 T cider vinegar
1/4 t kosher salt
1 3/4 lb celery root/celeriac
1/4 c carrots
1/4 t celery seed
1/2 t honey

DIRECTIONS
1)    globe cut and coursly grate celery root
2).   grate carrot
3).   mix all ingredients and let sit for 30+ minutes then serve.

NOTES:
Keeps great!!!!

Sunday, July 31, 2016

Tortilla Soup

I have no idea how this recipe has escaped me.

Tortilla Soup

Ingredients

1 lb diced chicken, or pork
1 qt chicken broth
15 oz can corn
15 oz can black beans
15 oz can hotel
1 t garlic
1 t chili powder
1 t chipotle

Directions

Put all ingredients in pan and bring to boil
Serve with sour cream, tortilla chips, olives, guacamole, onions, grated cheddar or anything else you would serve with Mexican food.

NOTES
IF you want to make this vegetarian then replace the chicken stock with 15 oz can tomato sauce and 1 pt water and either omit or replace meat with rice.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Pork Piccata over Pasta

Tonight we celebrated Auroras birthday.  Our custom is to make her a delightful dinner that I beleive she will enjoy.  I would say that I hit a home run tonight as she was very insistant that I needed to blog this recipe.

Here was the menu:
Appetizer-Brie with sliced bread, apple, pear and pomagranite
Entree-Pork Picatta over sun dried tomato & goat cheese ravioli
Dessert-Baklava

PORK PICATTA

1 1/2 lb pork cut into 3/4" slices
1 c flour
3 eggs
1 c panko(whole wheat if available)
1/2 t salt
1 t pepper
1 T "Everything Seasoning" from the Feast Hall
1/2 c (1 stick) butter
1/3 c lemon juice
1/2 lemon, sliced
1 c wine
3 T capers
2 t garlic, minced

1)  pound pork out to 1/2" thickness

2)  beat eggs to make egg wash

3)  season flour with salt and pepper

4)  season bread crumbs with Everything Seasoning

5)  bread pork by dredging in flour, then egg, then bread crumbs, making certain to cover completely and shake off extra

6)  Preheat oven to 200 and place a baking sheet with rack inside

7)  preheat a large saute pan and melt 1 T butter in it.  When it is hot, place 1/3rd of the breaded pieces of pork in and let cook for 2 minutes on each side.  When both sides are brown place pork on rack in oven. and repeat with remaining pork

8)  deglaze pan with wine and lemon juice.  Add in lemon slices, capers and garlic and cook until liquid is reduced by half.  

9)  turn off heat and  stir in butter until melted

10) plate pork over a bed of pasta and top with sauce

Saturday, December 20, 2014

The Feast Hall Cook Book

Each of our seasoning blends have a story and character all their own.

SPICE RUB
created when we lived in Puerto Rico and could not find a decent steak seasoning.  After using it on steaks, pork and chicken we discovered we could make ham, bacon and even brine with it!  
Ingredients:  Kosher Salt, Turbinado Sugar, Black Pepper, Rosemary, Thyme, & Chipotle Pepper


BAR-B-QUE SEASONING
created as a brisket rub.  It’s maiden voyage was with a 12 hour smoke.  Since then I have discovered the joy of using it for, not only, bar-b-quing  and smoking, but for hot wings, chili, sloppy joes, pulled meats, soups, stews, starches, vegetables & bar-b-que sauce.
Ingredients:


EVERYTHING SEASONING
as much as I love our original seasonings, I wanted something milder to use on poultry.  It has a mild yet savory flavor with universal appeal.
Ingredients:  Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic, Rosemary


GINNY SEASONING
I was playing around with juniper (the stuff gin is made of) and discovered I loved it.  It is rather indescribable, and yet, familiar.  I added it to the Everything Seasoning.  It adds a little something extra, and totally changes the character of it.  Not only is it the most versatile of all the seasoning, but also makes an awesome seafood boil!
Ingredients:  Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic, Rosemary, Juniper


SAUSAGE BLENDS
We also now offer 4 varieties of sausage seasonings
made to mix with 1 lb of a ground meat of your choice




HOT ITALIAN
A wonderful traditional flavor with lots of heat


SWEET ITALIAN
Equally as traditional as the Hot Italian, with less heat


BRATWURST
Based on a 15th Century purity law from Thuringer


ANDOUILLE
A rich and spicy Cajun Andouille that is even better smoked

Our customers are always finding new uses for our seasonings


the Life 
of Spice

Original Cook Book for 
the Feast Hall Incorporated
Seasoning Blends & Rubs
1st edition
December 2014
Antoinette K. Mangan
the Feast Hall Incorporated
Welcome to the Feast Hall, where we  bring the Life of Spice to your food.

We are dedicated to offering quality ingredients for a variety of tastes.  Not only do we offer four seasonings, but also four sausage blends to add to your kitchen.  Whether you are a seasoned chef having a lazy day, or a novice that can burn water, our blends are for you.  Though originally made for meat they have shown to work equally as well on poultry, game, seafood, vegetables, starches, soups, stews and casseroles.

Spice Rub
 well balanced salty, sweet, savory and smokey flavor that leaves you begging for more.

Bar-B-Que Seasoning
much richer, spicier, and smokier flavor than our original

Everything Seasoning
a mild and savory blend that has universal appeal.

Ginny Seasoning
similar to the Everything Seasoning but has a little something extra!  Try it as a Seafood boil.
  
All of our spice blends are made of all natural ingredients and lovingly blended by a husband and wife team.

Since their inception, in 2006, our spice rubs have gained in both  popularity and demand.  The loving encouragement from our friends and family has spurred us to make a legal business of them and share the life of spice with the entirety of the U.S.A.


NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RECIPE INDEX

VEGETABLES & STARCHES

   GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

MASHED POTATOES OR VEGETABLE

MASHED YAMS

TORTA DE PASQUALINA

VEGETABLES

BARLEY MUSHROOM RISOTTO

BACON, ONION, POTATOES

MEXICAN STYLE CORN ON THE COB

POTATOES


SOUPS, STEWS AND CASSEROLES

RED LENTILS AND RICE

BEEF, BARLEY & BEAN SOUP

CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

CHILI-THREE WAYS

CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP

DUBLIN CODDLE

HAM AND BLACK EYE PEA SOUP

  MINESTRONE

SPLIT PEA SOUP

TOMATO SOUP


FISH, POULTRY & MEATS

FISH

SEAFOOD BOIL

BRINED POULTRY

HOT WINGS

BACON

CRUSTED ROAST

GARLIC SMOKED PORK

HAM

HAMBURGERS

MEAT LOAF

MEATBALLS

SLOPPY JOES

BAR-B-QUE SAUCE


GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE 1

6 c green beans
2 c milk
1/2 c mushrooms, sliced
1/4 c butter
1/4 c flour
2 dehydrated red onions(or fried)
1 T Ginny Seasoning
Steps:

1) melt butter in pan on med-hi, stir in mushrooms and cover for 5 minutes to sweat

2)  stir in flour

3) whisk in milk, until no lumps remain and remove from heat

4) stir in half of onions and all other remaining ingredients

5) put in an oven-safe pan and bake at 350 until sauce boil up to top (like
lasagna)

6) put remaining onions on top to serve
















MASHED POTATOES OR VEGETABLES 2

2 lb potatoes, rutabaga, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, parsnips
1/2 c butter
2/3 c milk
1 1/2 t Ginny, Everything, or Bar-B-Que Seasoning

1) If you use a root vegetable freeze and thaw it to help soften it

2) peel and thinly slice 

3) bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes until potato or vegetable is soft

4) mix in food processor until mostly smooth

5) heat milk and butter until steam appears

6) slowly mix all ingredients together

7) serve

NOTES:

* without freezing and thawing root vegetables makes them easier to cut

  • after working on many medieval feasts I have discovered that most vegetables can be mashed in lieu of potatoes.  Many of them are richer in flavor and healthier.












MASHED YAMS 3

3 lb yams
1/4 c butter
1 T Ginny, Everything or Bar-B-Que Seasoning

1) bake yams until soft

2) slip out of skin and mash

3) chop butter into pats

4) mix into yams with seasoning, to taste

6) keep warm to serve

























TORTA DE PASQUALINA 4

Torta de Pasquelina is an Italian easter version of Spanikopita.  Since it is not done in individual pieces, it is a lot less fuss.  If you are serving vegetarians, this is a great dish.

TORTA DE PASQUELINA

1 1/8 c flour
1/2 T olive oil
1/3 c cold water
1 1/2 oz grated parmesan
6 1/4 oz ricotta
10 oz frozen spinach
1/2 T Ginny Seasoning
1 t lemon juice
4 eggs

FILLING
1) thaw the spinach then squeeze out liquid.
  1. mix together; parmesan, ricotta, spinache, ginny seasoing, lemon juice and set to the side
3)  In a separate bowl, make the crust by mixing flour and oil then
4)  add water until it slips the bowl. This may take a few minutes of mixing.
5)  Divide it into 2 pieces, one about 2/3rds and the second about 1/3rd
6) roll out crusts, the larger one needs to be 3"+ larger than your pie tin, the
smaller one only needs to be as large as your pie tin
7) center the large crust in the pan, hanging over the edges
8) put filling in pan with an even top
9) use a shotglass or other item to create 4 holes in filling that go to the
bottom crust
10) break an egg into each hole
11) place top crust in center
12) fold edges of bottom crust over the top crust decoratively

13) bake at 350 for 1 hour




Many of us were raised with vegetables that were steamed, boiled or 5 otherwise cooked to death.  Because of this, a lot of people do not eat their veggies.   With our seasoning blends and a little oil or butter you can, grill, sauté, braise, or broil your vegetables in a way that will leave your family begging for more!

VEGETABLES

1 lb vegetables;  green beans, squash, zucchini, asparagus, carrots, corn, etc
1 T oil;  butter, oil, bacon drippings
1 t Ginny, Bar-B-Que, Everything, or Spice Seasoning

1) toss with oil and sprinkle with seasoning

2) cook in desired method 

























BARLEY MUSHROOM RISOTTO (low glycemic index) 6

8 oz pearl barley
1/4 lb bacon
2 lb mushrooms, sliced
1 pt water
3 pt chicken stock
2 T Everything Seasoning
2 T butter
4 oz parmesean, grated
1/2 red onion, diced

Keep pan over medium heat for the entire process!!!
1) chop bacon up then cook until rendered and crispy

2) add pearl barley and cook, stirring regularly, until it starts to brown

3) pour in 1 pt water and stir regularly

  1. in a separate pan slowly cook mushrooms with butter, onion, and Everything Seasoning

5) when the pearl barley is almost dry (think of a cooked oatmeal consistency) stir in 1 c chicken stock and stir occasionally, repeat this step until risotto has soaked up all the chicken stock

6) by the time all the chicken stock is absorbed the mushroom mixture should be cooked down and somewhat dry

7)  mix the mushroom mixture, and parmesean into risotto

  1. serve

NOTES:  This dish reheats great in the oven. I have yet to do a smaller batch, but I would make this size batch and freeze portions of it for later use.




BACON, ONION POTATOES 7

3 lbs waxy potatoes, eighthed
1/2 red onion, diced
1/2 lb bacon, diced
1 T Everything Seasoning

1) mix all ingredients in baking dish

2) bake at 350 for about 1 hour, stirring occassionaly

3) this is done when potatoes are can easily be pierced with a fork.




























A while ago I was introduced to Mexican style corn on the cob.  The 8
way they do it is to cook the corn, squeeze it with lime, roll in sour cream then sprinkle with chili powder followed by mild grated cheese.  It is a wonderful taste sensation that is easy to reproduce.

MEXICAN STYLE CORN ON THE COB

4 ears corn
1  lime
1/2 c sour cream (la creme)
2 t Bar-B-Que Seasoning
2 oz finely grated hard cheese; cotija or a hard mild cheese

1) Cook corn, either by boiling,                                                                                 or soaking and grilling in the husk, and peeling

2) squeeze 1/4 lime over each ear

3) spread 2 T sour cream on each ear

4) sprinkle with 1/2 t Bar-B-Que Seasoning followed by 1/2 ounce cheese



















Almost everyone loves potato chip and french fries.  Many of us will 9
not eat them because of the calories.  I have a wonderful way to make potato chip fries from any kind of potato.

POTATOES

1 lb potatoes
1 1/2 t oil
1 1/2 t Ginny, Everything, or Bar-B-Que Seasoning

1) Preheat oven to 500

2) Thinly slice (1/8-1/4”) potatoes

3) toss with oil

4) sprinkle both sides with seasoning

5) cook for 5-10 minutes on each side until potatoes puff

6) serve



















As far as the lentils go, I have not worked with them enough to know 10
if different colors actually taste different. I am certain there are people out
that that will say yes and probably some that will say no. I just say, I don't
know.

RED LENTILS AND RICE

3 smoked ham hocks, I smoke my own, but buying them pre-smoked is fine
1/2 red onion, diced
1 carrots, diced
1 rib celery, diced
1 c red lentils
1 1/2 c diced tomatoes( 1 can)
7 c water
1 1/2 T Bar-B-Que Seasoning
1 1/2 c rice
1 lime
yogurt
hot sauce

1a) Saute the celery, onion and carrots in a little Olive Oil

2a)add lentils, water and garlic

3a)bring to boil and then down to low

1b)drain tomato juice into 2nd pan(pan b) with ham hocks, 1c water

2b)put on med-low and cover, turning ham hocks every 15 minutes

1c)start rice 1 1/2c rice mix 3 1/4 c water

2c)bring to boil

3c)cover and put on low until done





4a)to lentils add diced tomatoes, Bar-B-Que Seasoning 11

4b)when liquid starts to thicken pull ham hocks to cool and put liquid in pan a with lentils

5a)When ham hocks are cooked, take the meat off the bone and chop it up, adding it to the lentils when the meat has been added into the lentils and the rice is ready you are almost ready to serve. To accompany this wedge 1 lime into 6ths or 8ths and serve with yogurt and hot sauce on the side.

NOTES:
1-For starters NO it is not vegetarian, it could be made vegetarian but I think that would take away an element that all of the people I know find desirable.
2-If you like less texture you can run this through the blender
3-if the ham hocks are too much work or just unavailable I would suggest 1 lb of ham as a substitution. You could probably use any number of other meats but they would have to have flavor, otherwise they would probably get lost in this hearty dish.





















BEEF, BARLEY & BEAN SOUP 12

This warmed the guys up right after hunting at near freezing temperature. They were fighting for the left overs which I canned for them.
You could easily use 1 can of cooked black eyed peas instead of the dry and just cook this up very quickly. If you do that make certain to half the water.

BEEF, BARLEY, BEAN SOUP

3/4 c Black Eye Peas
1/2 c Barley
3/4 lb Beef, in bite size cubes
1/2 Red Onion, diced
1/2 lb baby carrots
1 1/2 rib Celery, sliced
1 c Tomato sauce
3 T Spice Rub
Steps:

1) Bring 6 c water to boil
add black eye peas and barley
boil for about 1 hour, until beans are soft

2) add remaining ingredients and simmer until beef is tender

3) serve
NOTES:

Once the beans are soft this can be cooked in a crock pot.

*DO NOT ADD SALT UNTIL BEANS ARE SOFT*









My Mother-in-Law taught me that to make really good chicken soup, 13
you have to start with cooked chicken.  One of my customers has been cooking their chicken with our Spice Rub, and getting compliments for years.  

CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

1 lb chicken
1 t Spice Rub
1/2 red onion
2 carrots
1 rib celery
1 qt water
1/2 T Ginny or Bar-B-Que Seasoning


1) Cut chicken into bite size pieces, sprinkle with Spice Rub and cook, over med-hi heat, until the outside is done

2) Dice onion, slice celery and chop carrots, adding them to chicken and cook until onions start to become translucent

3) Add water and 1 T desired seasoning and bring to boil, then lower to simmer

4) Taste and remaining seasoning if desired














CHILI-THREE WAYS 14

I love making a quick chili with Bar-B-Que Seasoning.  It is a minimum of fuss and you know everything that is in it.

Chili con Carne                                   
1/2 red onion-diced
1/2 lb hamburger or other meat
2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
1 (15 oz) can black beans

Thick Chili con Carne
1/2 red onion-diced
1/2 lb hamburger or other meat
1 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
1 (15 oz) can black beans

Chili
1/2 red onion-diced
1/2 lb hamburger or other meat
1 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
1 1/2 T Bar-B-Que Rub

(Choose your preferred style of chili)

1) put onion, hamburger and Bar-B-Que Rub in pan and cook, crumbling hamburger until it is all cooked

2) add remaining ingredients and simmer until desired consistency is reached

  1. add more Bar-B-Que Rub as desired, 1/2 T at a time and cooking for 5 minutes and tasting, before adding more.  

NOTES: * The flavor mellows as it cooks.  If you omit any ingredients use let seasoning.
*I love to serve chili with grated cheddar, sour cream, diced onions, and tortilla chips or corn bread
CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP 15

8 oz sliced mushrooms (criminis, white button or morels)
1/3 rasher (1/4 lb) bacon 
1/4 c flour
1 qt whole milk

1)  Cut raw bacon into short 1/2" wide pieces (across the bacon) put in medium saucepan and start to cook over medium-low heat until it starts to render. (If you do not want to use bacon use 1/4 c butter and melt it or use olive oil.

2)  Add mushrooms and seasoning and stir together.   Keep on medium-low heat and cover, stirring occasionally.  Sweating mushrooms until they become soft and release all of their juice.

3)  Uncover pan, raise to high heat, stir and cook until mushroom juice mostly evaporated.

4)  Mix flour into mushroom until everything is evenly coated.

5)  Whisk in milk, quickly while bringing to a boil. 

  1.  If you are using this for a casserole or are going to cook it further you can remove from heat now. If you are serving it as it you should simmer it for about 30 minutes to cook out the flour taste.













DUBLIN CODDLE 16

1 lb waxy potatoes
1 red onion
1/4 lb bacon
1 lb mild sausage (Irish, bratwurst, kielbasa, etc…)
1 T Ginny Seasoning

1) Cut raw bacon into 1/2” slices and cook until almost crispy

2) Drain  1/2 bacon drippings

3) Thin slice onion and cook in drippings until it starts to caramelize

4) Cut potatoes and sausage into bite size pieces and add to pot with enough water to cover

5) Stir in Ginny Seasoning, bring to boil then drop to a simmer before serving




















I am rapidly falling in love with black eye peas. They have a 17 wonderful creamy texture and cook easier than any other bean I have worked with.  I am always amazed when I don't need to add a bunch of herbs to a soup that is simple like this one. I always need to remind myself that it is about starting with a good base and flavorful ingredients. If you have good things to start with there is no need for filler in either quantity or flavor.

HAM AND BLACK EYE PEA SOUP

2 cup dry black eye peas, or any other dried beans
1 ham bone
1 lb ham
5 leeks sliced, white part
4 stock celery w/leaves sliced
5 large carrots, sliced
1/2 T Bar-B-Que Seasoning


1) put black eye peas to soak in 1/2 gal cold water overnight

2)put ham and bone in 6+qt crock pot

3) cover with water and put on low overnight

4) in the morning drain black eye peas and put in crock pot with ham and bones.  Put on high for 2+ hours

5) remove bones

6) add leeks, celery, carrots and Bar-B-Que Seasoning

7) cook for 2 more hours on high

8) Serve

NOTES:
*If you are using canned beans, just add the vegetables in the morning and cook all day if you used low heat.

Part of the beauty of Minestrone is that you can use almost any 18
vegetable you have in your house.  It is basically a vegetable “stone soup”.

MINESTRONE

2 c diced tomatoes
5 c chopped vegetables (green beans, carrots, zucchini, squash, etc…)
6 c water
1 c dry pasta
1 1/2 lb meat, cooked and cut into bite size pieces (optional)
2 T Everything Seasoning

1) In a pot combine tomatoes, vegetables, water and 1 T Everything Seasoning and bring to boil

2)  Stir in pasta and meat and cook until pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally

3) Drop to simmer, taste and add remaining seasoning as desired





















Part of the beauty of “split peas” or lentils, is that they cook easily 19
and quickly.

SPLIT PEA SOUP

2 cup dry green lentils “split peas”
1 ham bone
1 lb ham, in bite size pieces
1 T oil
1 onions, diced
2 stock celery sliced
3 large carrots, sliced
1 T Bar-B-Que Seasoning


1) Combine oil, onions, celery, carrots and 1/2 T Bar-B-Que Seasoning in pan and cook, over med-hi heat, until onions start to become translucent

2) Add in Ham bone, ham, lentils and 2 qts water

3) Bring to a boil, then drop to a simmer, stirring occasionally

4) When the lentils start disolving in the water, remove ham bone and taste

5) add more Bar-B-Que Seasoning as desired

6) Cook for 5 more minutes before serving

NOTES:
*If you are using canned or precooked lentils, drop water by half

*If you do not have a ham bone, you can use either chicken, or chicken and beef stock to replace half the water







Who doesn’t love a nice hot bowl of creamy tomato soup with a grilled 20 cheese sandwich?  

TOMATO SOUP

2 c milk
1 can (15 oz) tomato
1 T butter
1 T flour
1 T Ginny Seasoning

1) melt butter and mix in flour to make roux-it should be a wet sand consistency

2) using a wisk and stirring constantly in milk and bring to boil, lower to simmer

***DO NOT USE HIGHER THAN MEDIUM HEAT***
      or your soup will become grainy

3) Once thickened milk has cooled to a simmer, slowly wisk in tomato and 1/2 T Ginny Seasoning 

4) After cooking for 5 minutes, taste and add more Ginny Seasoning if desired

5) Cook for 5 more minutes, stirring occasional and serve

NOTES:
* If you do not want a creamy soup, use water or stock instead of milk 

* For a chunky soup,use a can of diced tomatoes instead of tomato sauce








This recipe is great for just about all fish.  We have tried it on Salmon, 21 
Ahi, Halibut.  It has turned out great every time.

FISH

1 lb fish of choice
1 T butter
1 lemon


1) Preheat oven to 350

2) place fish in baking pan

3) juice lemon over fish

4) sprinkle "Ginny Rub" evenly over fish

5) chop up butter and drop pieces evenly over fish

6) bake until fish is done

NOTES
How low the fish takes depends on the size and shape of cut. 
Knowing when it will be done means you need to know your fish.  The general rule is 10 minutes per 1" of thickness.  If you are unsure I would suggest searching the web to find a technique that works for you.  Not all fish should be cooked to medium well or well done.











I am obsessed with boiling seafood, whether it is a full crawfish boil 22
or just crab or lobster, there is a reason this method is a classic.

SEAFOOD BOIL

1 qt water, use 
1 T Ginny Seasoning 
1/2 lemon

1) bring all ingredients to boil and add shellfish of choice

2) remove shellfish when shell changes color and drop into ice bath

3) serve


























As much as I loath to admit it, enhanced meat, is just meat that is 23
brined before you get it.  The reason I rail against it is that most of them do not tell you what is in their secret “natural” solution.  No matter what it is, it takes control of your food out of your hands.  The bright side to brining your meat is that it will be juicer and tastier and harder to dry out.  I love brining poultry for that exact reason!  Think Thanksgiving.

BRINED POULTRY

1 qt liquid
1/4 c Seasoning blend of choice

1) combine seasoning blend and liquid, being careful to dissolve any salt or sugar

2) put meat in container, covered with brine for 12-24+ hours, in refrigerator

3) pull from brine and let dry 15 minutes before smoking, or cooking in usual method

NOTES

1) For liquid, water is just fine.  I love using fruit juice, especially apple or cherry

2) If your poultry is frozen, start with a hot brine and let it thaw in brine

3) To minimize how much brine I need, and any mess, I use resealable plastic baggies and squeeze the air out










Hot wings are a delicious, naughty treat that most of us do not make 24
at home because we just do not know how to make them.  Some people fry them, others bake them in a *really* hot oven. 

HOT WINGS

1 lb Chicken Wings & drumets


1) thaw chicken wings and drumets

2) preheat oven to 500

3) coat chicken in desired amount of Bar-B-Que Rub
     ( I normally shake them in a bag with the seasoning)

4) place on an oiled wire rack in a sheet pan

5) bake for aproximately 15 minutes, until you start seeing drippings forming on the pan, turn off oven and leave in closed oven for 15 minutes more

6) remove from oven and serve

SUGGESTED ACCOMPANIMENTS
Ranch  or Blue Cheese Dressing, celery, carrot sticks, Bar-B-Que Sauce or hot sauce












I think most people like bacon.  I hate searching through piles of 25
fatty bacon, just to find one meaty package.  Then there is the issue of finding uncured bacon, as I am completely over preservatives.  Whether you are buying bellies at the store or have some from your own life stock, making your own bacon can be fun and rewarding!

BACON

1 lb pork belly
1/4 c Spice Rub

1) trim any tough fat off your belly

2) rub as much Spice Rub onto your belly as you can get to stick

3) place on a rack, in a pan, in your refrigerator and cover

4) once a week rub it with more Spice rub

5) after 1 month, slice it up, cook it, freeze it or use it however you want




















CRUSTED ROAST 26

2 lb roast (beef, pork, etc…)
3 T Spice Rub, Bar-B-Que, Ginny or Everything Seasoning

1) Cut any hard fat off of roast

2) Rub as much seasoning as will stick to roast

3) Let sit, in refrigerator for 1-24 hours

4) Bake at 325 until it reaches 5 degrees below desired temperature

5) Pull from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting


























GARLIC SMOKED PORK 27


I have heard different ideas of things to insert into your meat, including lardons (matchsticks of bacon) and garlic.  The other night I decided to put it into practice.  It turned out quite well.

GARLIC SMOKED PORK (or any other roast)

 2 lb pork loin or other pork roast
1/4 c Spice Rub
6 clove garlic

1)  peel garlic and cut cloves in halt to make splinters

2)  pierce the roast 12 times a little more than halfway through, with a paring knife and insert half a clove of garlic into each, pushing it in as far as you can

3)  coat roast in as much Spice Rub as you can get to cling to it

4)  Smoke it at about 200-250 for 2-3 hours
     ***If you can not smoke it I would recommend using a small amount of liquid smoke or a smoked seasoning like smoked paprika to help make the flavor richer***

4) ALTERNATIVE  If you do not have the capability of grilling the roast I would cook it at 225 for 2-3 hours, until it is done to your liking.












Not only are many hams just plain salty, but full of preservatives.  28
After much research and combining differing methods we came up with a wonderful ham recipe.  We have made hams with pork and venison to the sound of rave reviews, even by people that do not like ham!

HAM

1 fresh picnic ham(shoulder)
3/4 c Spice Rub
1 bottle dry red wine

1) Trim off any hard fat

2) Rub as much Spice Rub onto meat as you can get to stick

3) Place on a rack in a pan, in the refrigerator and cover for 2 weeks

4) Smoke for 1 day

5)  Shake off any left over Spice Rub and put in a container covered with red wine of choice for at least 2 weeks

6) Remove from wine and cook or freeze as desired

















BURGERS 29

1 lb 88%lean beef or other ground meat
1 T either Spice Rub or Bar-B-Que Seasoning

1) mix beef and Rub of choice

2) shape into 3 patties, or 6 for sliders

3) cook until they reach desired doneness

NOTES
I prefer the 88% beef because it does not make the burgers dry or cause many flare ups.

The Spice Rub gives a more traditional flavor, where as the Bar-B-Que Rub give more of a rich, spicy, smokey flavor.  Any of the four seasonings will work great with a pork, turkey or chicken burger.

If you want to try an inside out burger, sauté some mushrooms and red onions, make the patty extra thin and wrap it around the onion and mushroom, or cheese.  It is great fun.



















Meat Loaf is a classic that is warm and familiar, even as a sandwich. 30

MEAT LOAF

1 lb ground beef
1 egg
1 c bread crumbs
1 T Spice Rub or Bar-B-Que Seasoning

1) Mix all ingredients and place in oven safe pan

2) Bake at 35o for about 45 minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 150

3) Let rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting
























Many cultures have a form or meat ball with different toppings. 31

MEAT BALLS

1 lb ground meat
2 eggs
1/2 c bread crumbs
1 T Spice Rub, Bar-B-Que, Ginny, or Everything Seasoning

1) Combine all ingredients

2) Form into bite size balls

3) Cook on each side in a lightly oiled pan

4) Finish in oven, sauce or soup

NOTES:
Country Meat Seasoning Sauce
ITALIAN BEEF EVERYTHING MARINARA
tomato sauce with mushroom, onion, garlic, basil, fennel, oregano,
  rosemary, crushed red pepper flake, salt 
SOUTH WESTERN BEEF BAR-B-QUE BAR-B-QUE
varies by region, refer to recipe in in this book
ENGLISH BEEF/PORK GINNY ONION
carmelized red onion reduced with red wine to a thick consistency
GERMAN BEEF/PORK GINNY WHITE
a simple white sauce with salt, pepper and nutmeg
CREOLE BEEF /LAMB BAR-B-QUE GRAVY
  a beef broth thickened with a roux and lightly seasoned










SLOPPY JOES 32

Awesome "Sloppy Joes" can easily be made using Bar-B-Que Seasoning.

1/2 red onion-diced
1/2 lb hot italian sausage
1/2 lb hamburger
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
2 T Bar-B-Que Seasoning
4 rolls

1) put onion, sausage, hamburger and Bar-B-Que Rub in saute pan and cook over high heat, crumbling meat, until meat is all cooked.

2) add tomato sauce and simmer, stirring occasionally, until desired consistency is reached.

3) Serve on rolls or sliced bread

SUGGESTED CONDIMENTS:  grated cheddar




















BAR-B-QUE SAUCE 33

Whether you just ran out of it, do not have the space for it, rarely use it or just want better ingredients, it is quick and easy to make Bar-B-Que Sauce with Bar-B-Que Seasoning.

BAR-B-QUE SAUCE

1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 c apple cider vinegar
1/2 c molasses


1) mix all ingredients in a pan

  1. bring to a boil then lower to a simmer, stirring frequently, then remove from heat and use or serve
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       





















I almost always err on the side of caution and prepare too much food. 34 This results in left overs. My husband and I are not the kind to eat left overs in their original form, so I have become quite the expert in recreating them. With BBQ this is really not difficult, you just make pulled meat.

For pulled meat you just need a crock pot and a few simple ingredients.  Put your crock pot on the low setting and mix the following ingredients into it:

1 c apple cider vinegar
1 16 oz can tomato sauce
1/2 c molasses, unsulfered please

add the meat and leave it all day or overnight, about 8 hours.
After it has had a chance to break down a bit you can let it cook a bit then
defat the sauce, remove bones, connective tissue and chunks of fat or gristle.
Mix all the meat back into the sauce and add any additional seasonings you may like. I am a big fan of Bar-B-Que Seasoning. 
Continue to cook on low for at least 5 minutes before the final tasting and service.

My notes which you will get used to seeing:
1. Make certain to keep the heat low! Too high of heat will guarantee dry
meat. A dry pulled meat is just not appetizing.
2. The quantities on the sauce are for about 3-6 lbs of meat. If you have less
than cut back on the quantities.


French Onion Soup

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